Introduction
Data in social research can be categorized into two types: quantitative and qualitative. Both are important in rural development research depending on the objective of the study.
Quantitative Data
- Deals with numbers and measurable facts
- Collected through surveys, statistics, and experiments
- Used for comparisons, trends, and analysis
Example: Number of households with access to toilets
Qualitative Data
- Descriptive and narrative in nature
- Collected through interviews, observations, and case studies
- Used to understand motivations, opinions, and behaviors
Example: Women’s perception of safety in using public toilets
Conclusion
Both types of data complement each other and help in comprehensive rural development research.